True enough, Zamboanga City has regained some sense of normalcy 17 days after the start of the conflict that claimed 12 civilian lives, as more good news kept on coming out.
He later twitted on that same day: “Another milestone: opened Mindpro mall 2day. Employees, shoppers, neighbourhood hv happy faces, big smiles.”
Mindpro Citimall is located at the heart of the city’s business center in La Purisima Street, near the Metropolitan Cathedral of Zamboanga. It is situated barely three kilometers from City Hall, and about four kilometers from the conflict zone.
Several other establishments have also opened, as Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce president Pocholo Soliven had earlier announced. In addition, the number of banks that opened continues to increase. From only 17 banks last September 17, 40 banks have resumed their operation, and more are opening up as the days progress.
Only those that are in the immediate vicinity of Sta. Barbara have remained closed for the safety of their employees and clients from stray bullets. The establishments are only waiting for an all-clear signal from the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) to resume their operations.
Moreover, lesser people are seen in ATM queues, since almost all have now become operational.
On an ordinary day, the biggest nuisance that Zamboanguenos complain of is the traffic in the city’s narrow streets. But now, many residents welcome the sight of vehicle congestion, noisy horns blaring, and air pollution from the exhaust pipes.
“Bonito gad ahora cay tan traffic ya,” (The day seems nice because there’s already traffic) joked Rey Rebollos, a resident of barangay Lunzuran.
However, the occasional rush of military trucks and ambulances still reminds the public to be as vigilant, if not more vigilant as they possibly can, as Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has continuously emphasized.
On the other side of the spectrum, thousands of displaced persons have lost their homes due to the conflict. As of Wednesday night, DSWD Information Officer Narrabelle Bue shares that more or less 102,000 are still stranded at the evacuation centers. And never has there been a smooth day for the evacuees, especially those at the Grandstand (Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex). People queue for hours just to get their meals. Many were reported to have been afflicted with a variety of diseases, including the children. The evacuees have continuously grown weary and depressed since they have lost their homes to the fires in the conflict area. The nightmares will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The national government through the directive of President Benigno S. Aquino III has already allotted Php3.89 Billion for the early recovery and rehabilitation of the evacuees. This amount will cover shelters, livelihood opportunities, and others interventions. The Crisis Management Committee has been planning on the best immediate and long-term services for the city to rise again, and the victims of this war are determined to live normal and better lives more than ever. (PIA9)